ISO 15176:2019
(Main)Guidance on characterization of excavated soil and other materials intended for re-use
Guidance on characterization of excavated soil and other materials intended for re-use
This document provides guidance on the range of tests that could be necessary to characterize soil and other soil materials intended to be re-used, with or without preliminary treatment (e.g. screening to remove over large material). It is intended to be of use in determining the suitability of soil materials for re-use (see 3.4.1), and the assessment of the environmental impacts that might arise from re-use. It takes into account the different requirements of topsoil, sub-soil and other soil materials such as sediments or treated soils. International Standard methods are listed that might be of use for characterization. Soil materials include natural soils and other materials (e.g. fill, made ground) excavated, stripped, or otherwise removed from their original in-ground or above-ground location (e.g. stockpile), dredged materials, manufactured soils, and soil treated to remove or destroy contaminants. For manufactured soils, which are often made using excavated materials together with other materials such as "green waste", the characteristics of the components and of the manufactured product might need to be determined. NOTE The terms "excavated soil" and "excavated soil materials" are used for brevity throughout the document to embrace the range of materials covered. An overriding principle governing the guidance provided in this document is that when there is to be no change in intended land use at the target site, imported soil materials cannot lead to a permanent reduction in performance of relevant soil functions. The guidance provided is intended to cover a range of possible end uses, including: — play areas for small children, including nursery schools, kindergartens, etc.; — schools; — gardens and other residential areas; — allotments; — horticulture; — agriculture; — forestry; — recreational areas, e.g. parks, sport fields; — restoration of damaged ecosystems; — mining and industrial sites; — construction sites; — road and rail constructions. It is not applicable to the placement of soil materials in an aqueous environment or to restore underground workings. It does not address geotechnical requirements when soil materials are to be used as construction material. NOTE The sensitive end uses listed above such as play areas for small children, schools, gardens, agriculture and recreational areas require particular care, particularly when excavated soils are derived from contaminated sites.
Lignes directrices sur la caractérisation de la terre excavée et d'autres matériaux du sol destinés à la réutilisation
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15176
Second edition
2019-06
Guidance on characterization of
excavated soil and other materials
intended for re-use
Lignes directrices sur la caractérisation de la terre excavée et d'autres
matériaux du sol destinés à la réutilisation
Reference number
ISO 15176:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
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© ISO 2019
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative reference . 2
3 Terms and definitions . 2
3.1 Types of soil and other soil materials . 2
3.2 Soil characteristics . 4
3.3 Land and sites . 5
3.4 Utilization, reclamation and treatment . 5
3.5 Assessment . 6
4 Characterization of soil materials and sites. 7
4.1 General . 7
4.2 Investigation strategies . 9
4.3 Sampling strategies .10
4.3.1 General considerations .10
4.3.2 Sampling in situ soil materials .13
4.3.3 Sampling sediments .13
4.3.4 Sampling stockpiles of untreated or treated soil materials .14
4.3.5 Sampling materials arising from a process-based remediation method .14
4.3.6 Sampling manufactured soils .14
4.3.7 Sampling soil materials after placement at the target site .14
4.3.8 Sampling the water environment .14
4.4 Characterization of soil materials .14
4.4.1 General.14
4.4.2 Description of source and target sites .15
4.4.3 Chemical characterization including basic characteristics .17
4.4.4 Physical characteristics .22
4.4.5 Biological characteristics .22
5 Data quality, handling and evaluation .23
6 Using this document .24
Annex A (informative) Relevant parameters required for the chemical, physical and
biological characterization of materials for re-use .25
Annex B (normative) Good practice in the re-use of soil materials .35
Annex C (informative) Guidance on determination of the scope of investigation needed
before excavation of soil materials .39
Annex D (informative) Examples of classification and evaluation of soils and other soil
materials .41
Annex E (informative) Examples of elements and compounds belonging to different
contaminant groups .47
Bibliography .50
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 7,
Impact assessment.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 15176:2002), which has been technically
revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— introduction of references to the ISO 18400 series of standards;
— updated references to international standards.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
Introduction
This document is one of a series providing guidance on the assessment of soils and soil materials in
relation to certain functions and uses. It should be read in conjunction with other International
Standards, some of which give more specific guidance in relation to some of the uses listed in the Scope
1)
or particular aspects of assessments. For example, ISO 15800 gives guidance on assessments relating
to human exposure to potentially harmful substances and ISO 15175 gives guidance on characterization
of contaminated soil related to groundwater protection.
Soils are the dynamic product of chemical, physical and biological processes. They are the result
of interactions between the inherent nature of the parent material, the prevailing environmental
conditions and human activities. They are a valuable natural and finite resource which should be
conserved wherever possible. When construction, mining or other activities require soils to be
excavated and moved from their natural situation, they should as far as possible be re-used in a manner
consistent with their natural properties and the intended use of the target location. Soils intended
for re-use are usually required to have certain chemical, leaching, geotechnical, physical, biological
and radiochemical attributes consistent with this future use. Particular attention should be paid in
situations where there is reason to believe that the soil might be contaminated.
Soils that are to be excavated, stripped, or otherwise removed from their original location, should be
investigated to determine how they can be re-used so as to minimize the quantities to be disposed of as
waste and to determine environmental impacts that might arise during re-use. Treatment of soils and
soil materials to remove or destroy contaminants or to reduce their availability to the environment can
alter soil properties. These properties should therefore be determined before re-use. For manufactured
soils, the characteristics of both the components and of the manufactured product might need to be
determined.
The purpose of characterizing soil (or other media) as suggested in this document is usually to enable
judgements to be made about its suitability for a defined use (e.g. arable farming, domestic gardens).
These judgements can be made by reference to published international or national guidance that sets
out physical, chemical or other generic criteria, or against criteria set on a site-specific basis. When
substances are present that might be harmful to human health or the environment, the judgement
can also be made on the basis of a site-specific qualitative, semi-quantitative or fully quantitative risk
assessment. In many jurisdictions, formal guidance on such assessments has been published. In some
cases this guidance fits within a legislative framework. Guidance has also been provided by professional
organizations and some standardization bodies.
When deciding whether to re-use soil material, other possibly competing or overriding objectives such
as protection of soil, nature, water and air; physical planning requirements and national legislative
requirements should be considered.
Assessment of soil material for re-use could require the measurement of the chemical, physical,
biological, geotechnical and radiochemical characteristics of soil material and of the source and target
sites. The assessor should identify those parameters that are appropriate to the task in hand.
This document identifies the functions and properties of soil materials at the source (point of origin) and
also the properties of the target (target) site which could be relevant to the potential uses listed in the
Scope and indicates for which parameters or procedures there are International Standards available.
Radiochemical and geotechnical aspects are not covered. For guidance on the geotechnical aspects of
the use of soil materials as construction material, see also other relevant International Standards (e.g.
those produced by ISO/TC 182, Geotechnics in the field of civil engineering) or national standards.
The way the soil is handled after excavation can affect soil properties. Some suggestions regarding good
practice in soil handling and related practice and monitoring after placement are provided in Annex B.
1) Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: ISO/FDIS 15800.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15176:2019(E)
Guidance on characterization of excavated soil and other
materials intended for re-use
1 Scope
This document provides guidance on the range of tests that could be necessary to characterize soil and
other soil materials intended to be re-used, with or without preliminary treatment (e.g. screening to
remove over large material). It is intended to be of use in determining the suitability of soil materials for
re-use (see 3.4.1), and the assessment of the environmental impacts that might arise from re-use. It takes
into account the different requirements of topsoil, sub-soil and other soil materials such as sediments
or treated soils. International Standard methods are listed that might be of use for characterization.
Soil materials include natural soils and other materials (e.g. fill, made ground) excavated, stripped, or
otherwise removed from their original in-ground or above-ground location (e.g. stockpile), dredged
materials, manufactured soils, and soil treated to remove or destroy contaminants. For manufactured
soils, which are often made using excavated materials together with other materials such as “green
waste”, the characteristics of the components and of the manufactured product might need to be
determined.
NOTE The terms “excavated soil” and “excavated soil materials” are used for brevity throughout the
document to embrace the range of materials covered.
An overriding principle governing the guidance provided in this document is that when there is to be
no change in intended land use at the target site, imported soil materials cannot lead to a permanent
reduction in performance of relevant soil functions.
The guidance provided is intended to cover a range of possible end uses, including:
— play areas for small children, including nursery schools, kindergartens, etc.;
— schools;
— gardens and other residential areas;
— allotments;
— horticulture;
— agriculture;
— forestry;
— recreational areas, e.g. parks, sport fields;
— restoration of damaged ecosystems;
— mining and industrial sites;
— construction sites;
— road and rail constructions.
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
It is not applicable to the placement of soil materials in an aqueous environment or to restore
underground workings. It does not address geotechnical requirements when soil materials are to be
used as construction material.
NOTE The sensitive end uses listed above such as play areas for small children, schools, gardens,
agriculture and recreational areas require particular care, particularly when excavated soils are derived from
contaminated sites.
2 Normative reference
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Types of soil and other soil materials
3.1.1
soil
upper layer of the Earth’s crust transformed by weathering and physical/chemical and biological
processes composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, gases and living organisms organized
in generic soil horizons
Note 1 to entry: In a broader civil engineering sense, soil includes topsoil and sub-soil; deposits such as clays,
silts, sands, gravels, cobbles, boulders and organic matter and deposits such as peat; materials of human origin
such as wastes; ground gas and moisture; and living organisms.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.1.11, modified —"gases" replaces "air".]
3.1.2
topsoil
upper part of a natural soil that is generally dark coloured and has a higher content of organic matter
and nutrients when compared to the (mineral) horizons below, excluding the humus layer
Note 1 to entry: For arable land, topsoil refers to the ploughed soil depth, while for grassland; it is the soil layer
with high root content.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.1.21]
3.1.3
subsoil
natural soil material below the topsoil and overlying the parent material parent rock beneath
Note 1 to entry: All or much of the original rock structure has usually been obliterated by pedogenic processes.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.1.20, modified — "parent rock beneath" added.]
3.1.4
soil material
material composed of excavated soil, dredged materials, manufactured soils, treated soils and fill
materials
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 7.4.16]
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
3.1.5
excavated soil
soil material extracted from the ground
EXAMPLE Topsoil, subsoil, altered parent rock, typically arising during construction works.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.6]
3.1.6
manufactured soil
manufactured product intended to perform specified soil functions produced by blending combinations
of natural, waste, or manufactured materials with the addition of nutrients or other additives, when
necessary
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.9, modified — "manufactured materials" replaces "soil materials".]
3.1.7
treated soil
soil that has been subjected to a process-based treatment method
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.16, modified — "process-based treatment method" replaces "ex situ or in
situ process".]
3.1.8
dredged material
solid material excavated or otherwise removed from waters, e.g. during maintenance, construction,
reconstruction and harbour or channel extension operation
Note 1 to entry: Dredged material might consist of sediment and soil taken from below the water surface.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.4, modified — "material excavated" changed to "solid material excavated
or otherwise removed from waters" and "extension measures from waters" modified in "harbor or
channel extension operation". In note 1 to entry: "subhydric soils" deleted and "soil and their parent
material beneath the surface water body" changed to "soil taken from below the water surface".]
3.1.9
anthropogenic ground
deposits which have accumulated through human activity
2)
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015/DAmd 1:2019 ]
3.1.10
fill
anthropogenic ground in which the material has been selected, placed and compacted in accordance
with an engineering specification
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015/DAmd 1:2019]
3.1.11
made ground
anthropogenic ground comprising material placed without engineering control and/or manufactured
by man in some way, such as through crushing or washing, or arising from an industrial process
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015/DAmd 1:2019]
2) Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: ISO 11074:2015/DAmd 1:2019.
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
3.2 Soil characteristics
3.2.1
soil functions
roles performed by soil that support ecosystems, the biosphere, the water environment and human
activities
EXAMPLE Control of substances and energy cycles as compartment of ecosystems, basis for life of plants,
animals and humans, basis for stability of buildings and roads, basis for the yield of agriculture, horticulture, and
forestry, carrier of genetic reservoir, document of natural history, archaeological and palaeological document.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.3.31, modified — "roles performed by soil that support ecosystems, the
biosphere, the water environment and human activities" replaces "description of the significance of
soils to man and the environment".]
3.2.2
background concentration
concentration of a substance characteristic of a soil type in an area or region arising from both natural
sources and anthropogenic diffuse sources such as atmospheric deposition
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.5.1, modified — "anthropogenic diffuse sources" replaces "non-natural
diffuse sources".]
3.2.3
background value
statistical characteristics of the total (natural pedo-geochemical and anthropogenic) content of
substances in soil
Note 1 to entry: It is commonly expressed in terms of an average, median, or a range of values.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.5.2, modified — Note 1 to entry added.]
3.2.4
natural background concentration
concentration of a substance that is derived solely from natural sources (i.e. of geogenic origin),
commonly expressed in terms of average, a range of values, or a natural-background value
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.5.7]
3.2.5
natural background value
statistical characteristics of the natural pedo-geochemical content of a substance in soils
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.5.8]
3.2.6
contaminant
substance or agent present in soil as a result of human activity
Note 1 to entry: There is no assumption in this definition that harms results from the presence of the contaminant.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.4.6]
3.2.7
potentially harmful substance
substance which by its chemical form, concentration or presence, can be dangerous to humans or the
environment
Note 1 to entry: It can be present naturally or as a result of human activity.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.4.19]
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
3.2.8
residual contamination
amount or concentration of contaminants remaining in a specific medium, following remediation
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.4.21]
3.2.9
trace element
element present in low concentration in soil material in respect to the most commonly observed natural
background level
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.5.12]
3.2.10
essential trace element
element essential at low concentrations for plant or animal (including human) metabolism
Note 1 to entry: An element can be essential at low concentrations but become harmful at higher concentrations.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 3.5.5]
3.2.11
soil characterization
determination of relevant physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.1.12]
3.3 Land and sites
3.3.1
damaged land
degraded land
land which, due to natural processes or human activity, is no longer able to properly sustain an economic
function and/or its original natural ecological function
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.2]
3.3.2
target site
site at which soil is to be re-used
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.3.14]
3.4 Utilization, reclamation and treatment
3.4.1
re-use of soil material
useful and harmless utilization of soil materials
Note 1 to entry: Re-use can mean transfer of soil materials to another location for use in agriculture, horticulture,
forestry, gardens, recreational areas and construction sites.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.12]
3.4.2
construction works
applications where soil materials are not required to have a direct productive use although they can
support other layers intended to have a productive use
Note 1 to entry: For example, including earthworks (e.g. embankments), landscape engineering, road
construction, construction of waste disposal sites, and backfilling of excavated sites or surface mines.
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.1, modified — "surface" added before "mines" in Note 1 to entry]
3.4.3
reclamation
rehabilitation
return of damaged, degraded or derelict land to beneficial use
Note 1 to entry: The term remediation is commonly restricted to the process of dealing with contaminated/
polluted sites.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.11]
3.4.4
soil rehabilitation
action taken to improve the capability of damaged or degraded soil to perform specified functions (e.g.
addition of organic matter and nutrients to promote plant growth)
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 6.1.22]
3.4.5
remediation strategy
combination of remedial techniques and associated work programmes that will meet specified
contamination-related remediation objectives and other objectives (e.g. engineering related), and
overcome possible restraints
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 6.1.20, modified — "techniques" replaces "methods, "programmes"
added, "(e.g. residual contaminant concentrations)" removed, "possible restraints" replaces "residual
concentration"]
3.4.6
process-based treatment method
application of physical, chemical or biological processes either to remove or destroy contaminants, or to
reduce their availability to the environment
Note 1 to entry: Different treatment methods, e.g. biotreatment, are defined in ISO 11074.
3.4.7
stockpile
temporary deposit of soil material
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 2.2.14 modified — Note 1 and Note 2 to entry deleted]
3.4.8
investigation for compliance or performance
investigation, or programme of on-going inspection, testing or monitoring, to confirm that a remediation
strategy has been properly implemented and/or when a containment approach has been adopted, that
this continues to perform to the specified level
EXAMPLE Testing to confirm that all contaminated material has been removed.
3.5 Assessment
3.5.1
hazard
property of a substance or material, or situation that in particular circumstances could lead to harm or
pollution
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 5.2.15]
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ISO 15176:2019(E)
3.5.2
hazard
re-use of soil & soil materials
property of a substance or material, or any action that which might have an adverse effect on soil
functions
Note 1 to entry: A hazard has the potential to cause harm.
3.5.3
risk
combination of the probability and frequency of occurrence of a defined hazard and the magnitude of
the consequences of the occurrence
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 5.2.24]
3.5.4
harmlessness
condition in which the application of a soil material does not result in
damage, as defined by specific criteria, to the present functions of the soil already at the target site
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 5.2.14]
3.5.5
data quality objectives
statement of the required detection limits, accuracy, reproducibility and repeatability of the required
analytical and other data
Note 1 to entry: Generic data quality objectives are sometimes set at national level. Data quality objectives can
also embrace the amount of data required for an area of land (or part of a site) or for a stockpile to enable a sound
comparison with generic guidelines or standards or for a site-specific or material-specific estimation of risk.
[SOURCE: ISO 11074:2015, 5.1.2]
4 Characterization of soil materials and sites
4.1 General
The purpose of characterizing soil materials and sites intended for re-use of soil material is to enable
judgements to be made ab
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